13 August 2012: The African Water Facility (AWF), with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development-Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF), has launched the preparatory phase of the Songwe River Basin Development Programme, to assist in establishing management and development frameworks for the shared waters between Malawi and Tanzania.

Launched at a meeting in Kyela, Tanzania, on 16 July 2012, the preparatory phase is expected to assist the two countries in establishing a long-term strategic framework, investment plans and enabling environments to ensure basin-wide development of the jointly managed waters. The funding from AWF, which provided €3.5million, and NEPAD-IPPF, which provided €1.2 million, will be used during this initial phase to develop a 10-year development programme and support the design and preparation of infrastructure projects such as the provision of hydropower, water supply and sanitation and irrigation.

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), the projects should benefit approximately 60 million people through improved health and living conditions, increased food and energy security, and bolstered economic development.

AWF, an initiative of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and hosted and managed by AfDB, aims to assist African countries in mobilizing and applying resources for the water and sanitation sector to enable successful implementation of the Africa Water Vision (2025), and meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). [AfDB Press Release] [AWF Press Release] [NEPAD-IPPF Website]